BLM to host public meeting regarding supplemental analysis for Rio Puerco and Farmington oil & gas lease sales following settlement agreement
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The Bureau of Land Management will host an in-person public meeting to hear comments regarding oil and gas lease sale decisions made by the Rio Puerco and Farmington field offices. These decisions authorized the lease of 42 parcels for oil and gas development, pursuant to the December 2018 Rio Puerco Field Office lease sale, November 2019 Rio Puerco Field Office lease sale, and February 2020 Rio Puerco and Farmington field offices lease sale.
On April 5, 2022, the BLM entered into a settlement agreement in the case of Diné Citizens Against Ruining Our Environment v. BLM, No. CV 20-673 KG/JHR (D.N.M.). As a part of this settlement, the BLM agreed to review the adequacy of the National Environmental Policy Act analyses underlying the leasing decisions challenged in that lawsuit.
The BLM invites the public to participate in a meeting on June 28, 4-7 p.m., at Counselor Chapter House, 9828 Chapter House Road, Counselor, NM 87018. The meeting will follow the current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Department of the Interior COVID-19 large-group gathering protocols.
The agenda for the public meeting includes an informational presentation followed by a comment period. A Navajo translator will be available to assist, if needed.
In addition to the public meetings, comments may be submitted by any of the following:
- Electronically via ePlanning:
- December 2018 Competitive Oil and Gas Lease Sale, Rio Puerco Field Office: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/110287/570
- November 2019 Competitive Oil and Gas Lease Sale, Rio Puerco Field Office: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/122602/570
- February 2020 Competitive Oil and Gas Lease Sale, Rio Puerco Field Office: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/1500871/570
- February 2020 Competitive Oil and Gas Lease Sale, Farmington Field Office: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/1500868/570
- Mail: Bureau of Land Management, Rio Puerco Field Office, Attn: Laura Gray, 100 Sun Avenue, NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109
All comments must be postmarked by July 13, 2022.
For more information, please contact BLM Rio Puerco Field Office Planning and Environmental Coordinator Laura Gray at 505-761-8918 or lgray@blm.gov.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.